Miniature rose plant named `POULDEL`

ABSTRACT

A miniature rose plant, suitable as a pot rose, having non-fading light yellow flowers, rapid, even and compact growth, long shelf life and being readily propagated from softwood cuttings.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of roseplant of the miniature class which was originated by us by crossing thevariety LENpi, unpatented, with an unnamed seedling.

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a new rose varietyhaving the compact vigorous growth of the pink miniature female parentcombined with good flower form, light yellow flower color and dark greenhealthy foliage of the male unnamed seedling. The objective wassubstantially achieved, along with other desirable improvements, asevidenced by the following unique combination of characteristics thatare outstanding in the new variety and that distinguish it from itsparents, as well as from all other varieties of which we are aware:

1. Attractive, nonfading, light yellow flower color;

2. Rapid, even growth;

3. Compact size;

4. Ease of propagation from softwood cuttings; and

5. Long shelf life in bloom.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by softwood cuttings, asperformed at Wasco and Somis, Calif., and Fredensborg, Denmark, showsthat the foregoing and all other characteristics and distinctions cometrue to form and are established and transmitted through succeedingpropagations.

The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of this new variety in different stages ofdevelopment, depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

The following is a detailed description of my new rose cultivar withcolor descriptions using terminology in accordance with The RoyalHorticultural Society (London) Colour Chart, except where ordinarydictionary significance of color is indicated.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--LENpi.

Pollen parent.--Unnamed seedling.

Classification:

Botanical.--Rosa hybrida.

Commercial.--Miniature.

FLOWER

Observations made from specimens grown in a greenhouse environment atSomis, Calif., and Fredensborg, Denmark.

Blooming habit: Continuous.

Bud:

Size.--3/4 inch long when the petals start to unfurl.

Form.--The bud form is short.

Color.--When sepals first divide, bud color is Yellow Group 2D. Whenhalf blown, the upper sides of the petals are Yellow Group 4D; and thelower sides of the petals are Yellow Group 2D.

Sepals.--Color: Green Group 138A. Surface texture: Covered in finehairs. There are three lightly appendaged sepals. There are twounappendaged sepals with hairy edges and glands.

Receptacle.--Color: Green Group 143C. Shape: Funnel. Size: Small(3/8"×1/4"). Surface: Smooth.

Peduncle.--Length: Short (2-21/4"). Surface: Smooth with a few smallglands. Color: Medium green. Strength: Stiff and erect.

Bloom:

Size.--Small. Average open size is 13/4-2".

Borne.--Singly, several together, and in pyramidal clusters of 3flowers.

Stem.--Short and strong. Average length is about 6-8 inches.

Form.--When first open: High center. Permanence: Outer petals curl back.

Petalage.--Number of petals under normal conditions: 30.

Color.--The upper side of the petals is Yellow Group 4D. The reverseside of the petals is Yellow Group 2D. The base of each petal has asmall Yellow Group 4B half moon at the point of attachment. The majorcolor on the upper side is Yellow Group 4D.

Variegations.--Occasional greenish streak on the guard petals.

Discoloration.--The general tonality at the end of the first day: Nochange. At the end of the third day: No change. Flowers retain theircolor without fading until they drop at day 5 or 6.

Fragrance.--Moderate.

Shelf life.--Under low urban conditions, plant will remain in bloom fortwelve or more days.

Petals:

Texture.--Thick and leathery.

Shape.--Round to oval.

Form.--Tips slightly recurved and edges slightly quilled.

Arrangement.--Imbricated, with many petaloids in the center.

Persistence.--Drops off cleanly.

Lastingness.--On the plant: Long (5 or 6 days). As a cut flower: Nottested.

Reproductive parts:

Anthers.--Size: Medium. Quantity: Few. Color: Yellow. Arrangement:Regular around styles and mixed with petaloids.

Filaments.--Color: Yellow.

Pollen.--Color: Lemon yellow.

Styles.--Color: Reddish.

Stigmas.--Color: Greenish white.

Form: Bush.

Growth: Vigorous, dwarf, upright, branching, and compact. Height ofPOULdel in full flower in a 5-inch pot is 9-11 inches.

Foliage: Number of leaflets of normal mid-stem leaves: 5.

Size.--Small (31/2"×2").

Quantity.--Abundant.

Color.--New foliage: Very little anthocyanin. Upper: Green Group 143A.Lower: Green Group 143C. Old foliage: Upper: Green Group 139A. Lower:Green Group 139C.

Leaflets:

Shape.--Pointed oval.

Texture.--Upper side: Glossy and smooth.

Edge.--Serrated.

Serration.--Single and small.

Petiole rachis.--Color: Green.

Petiole underside.--Smooth with occasional prickles.

Stipules.--Short (1/4").

Disease resistance.--Resistant to mildew under normal growing conditionsat Somis, Calif.

Wood:

New wood.--Color: Light green. Bark: Smooth.

Old wood.--Color: Green. Bark: Smooth.

Prickles:

Quantity.--On main canes from base: Ordinary. On laterals from maincanes: Ordinary.

Form.--Short (1/4") and straight.

Color when young.--Red.

Small prickles:

Quantity.--On main stalks: None. On laterals: None.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the miniatureclass, substantially as herein shown and described, characterizedparticularly as to novelty by the unique combination of its attractive,nonfading light yellow flowers; rapid, even growth; compact size; longshelf life; and ease of propagation from softwood cuttings.